Unite demands answers following tragic Crossrail fatality

Unite demands answers following tragic Crossrail fatality

Unite, Britain’s biggest union, has expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the worker tragically killed at the Crossrail construction site in Holborn, central London today (7 March).

The union is calling on the contractor BFK to meet with Unite urgently to explain the circumstances surrounding the tragic death. In December 2012, another Crossrail worker suffered serious burns after he cut through a cable at Holborn.

Unite regional officer for Crossrail, Guy Langston, said: “Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the worker who has been tragically killed in Holborn today.

“Crossrail’s contractor BFK has some serious questions to answer. Unite is particularly concerned about health and safety at the site because this is not the first serious incident. In December 2012 a worker sustained horrific burns when he cut through a cable.

“We now expect BFK to meet with Unite as a matter of urgency. The contractor must explain how it intends to do everything in its power to ensure that a tragic incident like this does not happen again.”

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: “We expect the coalition government to pay special attention to this tragic incident. Since the Tory-led government took power there have been constant attacks on safety laws and regulations. The government should be strengthening health and safety laws, not weakening them.”